Romania: Winemaking

Winemaking in Romania has widely been updated to modern international standards with stainless steel equipment, temperature control, pneumatic presses, etc. Much of this has been subsidized by the EU through SAPARD, which gave 50% subsidies retrospectively. Some traditional concrete tanks, rotary fermenters, and large old Carpathian oak casks still exist but are being replaced. Large old wood casks are still favoured by older winemakers. Such problems as a lack of winery hygiene, oxidation, lack of fruit, and excess volatile acidity have become much less prevalent. The use of oak has become more sophisticated with premium wines often aged in barriques and sometimes fermented in oak. French oak is widespread but Hungarian, American, and some Romanian cooperages are now making high-quality barrels.